Over a million adults in Queensland moved house at least once in the three years to October 2000, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This means that 4 out of every 10 Queenslanders aged 18 years and over have moved at least once since November 1997.

The most mobile were people aged between 25 and 34 years, with 2 in every 3 having moved. Mobility decreases steadily as age increases, with only 1 in 7 people aged 65 years and over having moved.

Short-term rentals were common with 74.9% of current renters having moved, compared with 38.3% of purchasers and only 14.4% of home owners.

Nearly three-quarters (72.2%) of the people relocating within Queensland moved less than 20 kilometres, and almost half of these (48.5%) moved less than 5 kilometres from their previous home.

Factors related to employment prompted 17.7% of moves in regional and rural Queensland but only 9.4% in Brisbane. Housing reasons such as buying a home and size of home was the most common response given as the main reason for moving. This was true for people both in and out of Brisbane with 49.2% and 42.4% respectively.

This pattern of moving seems set to continue with 714,700 people in Queensland expecting to move in the next three years. Of those, people aged 25 to 34 years make up almost one third of anticipated moves, the most of any age group, while people 55 years and over make up the least with only 10.0%.

Main reasons given for likely moves show a similar pattern to main reasons given for past moves within Queensland. The two most common main reasons given for an expected move, making up over 40%, were employment related reasons and wanting to buy or build own home.

Further details can be found in Population Mobility, Queensland(cat. no. 3237.3) available in ABS bookshops in capital cities. If you would like to purchase a copy of the publication contact the ABS Bookshopin your capital city.